South African-born England batsman Nick Compton has retired from professional cricket.

Compton attended Durban High School alongside eventual Proteas batsman Hashim Amla before moving to the United Kingdom.

The right-handed Compton played 16 Test matches between 2012 and 2016, but scored a mere two centuries and as many half-tons across 30 innings.

Unable to secure a berth in Middlesex’s first-choice XI for the 2018 County Championship, the 35-year-old Compton’s final first-class fixture was played for the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Cricket Club against Saracens in Colombo in February.

‘After almost two decades of professional cricket, I am announcing my retirement from the game I love so much. It has been a privilege to play first-class cricket for Middlesex, Somerset, and the MCC,’ said Compton.

‘There have been some challenges that I have had to confront, but in spite of these [challenges], I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this career of mine. For one, being named one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in the 150th Anniversary Edition, in 2013, alongside both my cricketing hero Jacques Kallis and my school friend Hashim.’

His late grandfather, Denis, played 78 Tests for the English between 1937 and 1957.

‘Of course, the pinnacle of my career was following in my grandfather’s footsteps, having achieved my dream of playing and winning a Test series for England. I am particularly proud of my successful opening partnership with Alastair Cook and our series victory in India, the first time in 28 years an England team had won in India,’ added Compton.

‘I treasure the 16 Test matches I played for England, especially my back-to-back Test tons which I scored in New Zealand. On the domestic front, what a team I played in at Somerset. And winning the County Championship at Lord’s on the final day of the 2016 season for Middlesex provided all involved with an experience that we will savour for the rest of our lives.’